Category: Blog
Every day is a good day to serve others.
One of the first things that a new JFC team member learns is how committed we are to serving our local community. Not just in finding people jobs, but in donating our time and talent to the non-profit sector.
JFC offers a VTO (Volunteer Time Off) day for every JFCr to spend time at the charity that is special in their life.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle and her passion for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Janelle wrote the below segment, in her own words, about volunteering for the foundation during this most unusual time.
“This year, I decided to use my VTO for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. I chose this because I am a patient diagnosed with Crohn’s and am a huge advocate for the foundation. I love what this charity represents and that’s researching ways to improve the quality of life for people who live with Crohn’s and colitis and finding a CURE for these diseases. I’ve met many other people through the foundation who live with IBD that have helped me along the way.
Every year, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (Philadelphia/Delaware Chapter) plans a Central PA Take Steps Kick Off Event in the summer to kick start walking season. In the past, we would gather at Springate Winery. The Honored Hero for the year would say a few words at the event. We would have a live musician play guitar and sing. People could mingle with one another and baskets were raffled off. All raffle money and a portion of the proceeds from people buying a glass of wine at the event or purchasing bottles to take home would go back to the foundation. It was always a fun time!
Unfortunately, this year due to the pandemic, we cannot physically gather together for this event. I knew that the foundation was trying to put together a virtual event, so I asked if I could help. The committee asked if I could research and reach out to local breweries and wineries to see who would be willing to partner in this virtual event. The idea is to have a representative from a brewery or winery attend the event. We wanted the representative to give an overview of the brewery/winery, give a tour of the location, provide information on their wines and then for a period of time allow those who were attending the event to purchase alcohol from the winery/brewery with part of the proceeds going back to the foundation. This would be like a fun “Happy Hour” event to raise money and again kick-start the new fundraising season. Unfortunately, I do not know at this time if we will be having a walk at City Island in the fall. They may be doing a virtual walk instead.
I got Tattered Flag Brewing Company to partner with this event! They are going to provide a recorded message for the event, and make a flat donation to the foundation, which I am super excited about! Their donation will be announced in their video – I can’t wait!
We still want to do a raffle as well. So, we have been doing some outreach to local businesses, wineries, breweries and stores that would be willing to donate e-gift cards or baskets.
This year, the virtual kick-off event will be on Thursday, July 23rd at 6 PM. You can visit the @ccfapadelaware Facebook page to find the Event and join it!
Thank you for this awesome opportunity to allow me to work closely with a charity that is very near and dear to my heart! ❤️”
Companies throughout Central PA are working hard to maximize the spirit of the Paycheck Protection Program to keep America working.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about more change in three months of 2020 than we have seen in prior decades combined.
Some of that change has been terrifying. Some has been unsettling. However, one change helping many businesses throughout Central PA is the passing of the Paycheck Protection Program under the CARES Act.
If your company was eligible to take part in this program, you’ve been through the arduous application and approval process. Now it’s time to focus on restoring (or even increasing) your headcount to keep Central PA working, as well as maximizing the potential of your loan forgiveness.
The recent expansion of the program to include a second option for a 24-week forgiveness period, in addition to the original 8-week period, is a welcome change for most businesses. How are you looking to increase your headcount? That’s where JFC can help!
If you have positions that you’ve always dreamt of adding to your team, why not do that now?
Most of you may know JFC as a provider of temporary and contract candidates. Yet did you know we also provide direct hire candidates to add to your team and your payroll? JFC’s team of recruiters has remained very busy conducting interviews all throughout this quarantine time. The way we conduct interviews might have changed, but the focus on attracting quality talent for local companies is as strong as ever.
JFC’s recruiters are screening, interviewing, and reference checking a wide variety of skills to meet the needs of companies that have remained open or are ready to re-open. As a result, we have a pool of candidates seeking direct hire placement who are ready to go, adding to your FTE headcount and your payroll.
Contact JFC today to learn how we can help your company through this time of challenges and opportunities. Through our JFC Cares program, we have flexible pricing available for companies of all sizes. Together we can keep Central PA working!
For more information about the JFC Cares program, check out: https://jfcstaffing.com/jfc-cares/
A better YOU starts with a healthy diet!
By Christine Spaan, Managing Director
How to get more veggies into your day!
No matter where you turn there are lots of different experts on health and nutrition with lots of different opinions. One thing they can agree on is that you should eat your vegetables and with good reason. Eating a wide variety of vegetables each day is universally recommended for better health. Turns out only 9% of American adults get the recommended 1 to 3 cups each day!
If you reserve vegetables for lunch or dinner, it can be difficult to get your daily serving. But if you start your day by eating vegetables for breakfast that can put you on pace to meet your vitamin and mineral needs! So, say YES to veggies for breakfast!
Here are a few ways to sneak them in first thing in the morning! Maybe your kids will be so tired they won’t even notice!
- The Green Smoothie – a favorite and certainly not a new concept but starting a smoothie with a cup or two of raw greens like kale or spinach and you’re on your way to a great day.
- Add Pumpkin or Squash or Sweet Potato puree to your pancake or waffle mix. Just add in about 1/2 cup puree to the mix and proceed as normal. No one will know – especially if you add a little cinnamon.
- Avocado – okay, technically a fruit but chock full of healthy fats will help you stay fuller, longer. Avocado multi-grain toast anyone? Maybe add some radishes for extra crunch, color and veggie content.
- Instead of fried hash browns…why not try zucchini fries with your scrambled eggs? Just cut them up like fries…add a little salt, pepper and olive oil and roast them until crispy.
- How about a veggie omelet? – kick the bacon to the curb and load up on mushrooms, onions, peppers, spinach and asparagus. You’ll feel better and not be hungry for hours with all that veggie power.
Starting your day in this way will get you much closer to the recommended daily amount and make you feel better too! Fueling your body with the right food will prepare you for whatever comes your way throughout the day!
The Job Hunt Jam: How to Make your Application Pop among Hundreds of Other Job Seekers
by Christopher Kokes, Recruiter
Let’s face it – no matter how you slice it, the job search can be an arduous process. You send your resume out to dozens, maybe even hundreds, of companies, and many times all you get back is a generic “thanks for your submission” email, if you’re lucky enough to get any response at all. One of the most common questions I get as a recruiter is, “How do I make my application stand out to prospective employers?” The truth is, there isn’t any hard and fast rule to follow that will get your resume noticed. However, I hope that at least one of these tips will resonate as something you could try out before you send out your next application!
Becoming The Conscious Observer: How Thoughts Had Limited My Possibilities
Where your attention goes your energy flows. And where your energy flows, whatever you focus on grows. Interestingly, only you, through your attention, can give thoughts value and power.
Don’t Be So Quick To Give Into Your Thoughts
What thoughts are you holding onto? Whether anchored in the past or focused on the future, “Are they making your life today better or worse?”
Our potential weighs so heavily on what we think – literally our thoughts (those we choose to pay attention to) shape our life. When we place enough attention to a thought it eventually turns into a belief. And our beliefs either empower or disempower us. Essentially, what you think about and tell yourself becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Seems Simple Enough Yet our Brain is Innately Programed with a Negativity Bias
We have strong tendency to place our attention and energy on things like “what could go wrong” and “our perceived limitations.” This mental loop of planning for the worse tends to have us view the present as not good enough. It’s as if we live with one foot in the past saying, “If only things had been different.” And the other foot in the future saying, “When this happens, things will be better.” Meanwhile we completely ignore the present which is the only place where life actually exists.
“Make the present moment your friend rather than your enemy. Too many people live habitually as if the present moment were some obstacle they need to overcome in order to get to the next. And imagine living your whole life like that, where always this moment is never quite right because you need to get to the next one. That is continuous stress.” – Eckert Tolle
They say that stress is a byproduct of obsessively thinking about the past while anxiety results when we try controlling or forcing outcomes in life. Admittedly there are valid moments where past analysis and/or future forecasting is beneficial (mostly in our professional lives). However, too much time spent thinking about what’s already happened or what might happen is toxic to our livelihood and potential. The point I am trying to make is this. Whether you are predominantly anchored in the past or lost in the future, thoughts lead to beliefs and beliefs shape reality – the life you live.
Make no mistake, we have little to no control over our inner thoughts. On the contrary thoughts cannot just take over your mind. Only once you place attention on a thought can it materialize and influence ( empower / disempower) your livelihood and potential. This is your responsibility, you have control over the thoughts you hold onto, placing energy and attention on. A thought is just that – a thought…until you rest your mind on it, dwell on it, and choose to believe it. Once that happens your thought has the power to become life changing.
Try Thinking about Conscious Observation This Way
If Kennedy thought landing on the moon was impossible (which you can bet was one of the many thoughts he had) it would have become his belief. And that belief would have changed his presidential legacy, the country’s legacy, and all human potential for that matter. Make sense?
Some Straightforward Advise We Can All Benefit From
When negative thoughts or feelings come into your mind, simply observe them, and but for the rare instance of life/death situation, let it go. Depending on life’s circumstances it is perfectly natural to “feel” worried, stressed, doubtful (thoughts)…but you do not necessarily need to “be” worried, stressed, doubtful (beliefs, state of being). Beliefs define what we are capable of and the quality of our lives. Our perception of who we are, of the world around us, situations we face – when we adopt them as (truth, a belief) they literally shape our reality.
“Once you notice you are feeling a particular way, then you generate more thoughts equal 
to how you’re feeling, and then you release more chemicals from your brain to make you feel the way you’ve been thinking. And since the hormones of long-term stress down-regulate the expression of healthy genes and create disease…you must stop placing attention on any feelings related to stress…” – Dr Joe Dispenza
Your attention is the mind’s spotlight. What you chose to focus it on will become the picture of the life you live. The best way to predict your future is to create it. Leverage the power of choice. What thoughts you choose place your attention and energy on. Unleash your human potential and turn those dreams into reality. You got this. The choice is yours and yours alone to make.
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below as I learn just as much from you as you do from me.
Follow me on Twitter @JimCarchidi
The gift that keeps on giving!
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation had a most memorable scene where Clark, revealing his year-end bonus is a one year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club, and Eddie replies, “that’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.”
Well, that is not the gift I am referring to…
It’s gratitude!
Studies in positive psychology show that when we deliberately promote gratitude it increases our well-being and happiness. In addition, expression of it to others is directly linked with increased energy, optimism, and empathy.
This holiday season, be grateful!
Hiring Managers: How to Elevate your Recruiter Partnership in a Competitive Job Market
Month after month, we continue to see the unemployment rate around the lowest it’s been in 50 years. Rather than writing an article focused on why hiring managers should work with a professional recruiting agency, we’re at a point where it’s more relevant to talk about how to make those relationships flourish since they’re likely already in place.
Why Do We Resist Change?
Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, had been quoted as saying “change is the only constant in life.”
Consider that Heraclitus is from the 6th century, change is nothing new. Admittedly, it is happening at an increasing pace. Technologies, ideas, theories are continually evolving.
If change is unavoidable, what’s the point of worrying over it?
Obviously, how we feel about change depends on the circumstances. In our work lives a healthy attitude toward the idea of change is important if we want to grow professionally. If fear of change is hindering us from doing this, we can work hard to change our perception.
Change itself is not the problem but rather how we perceive it. Perceptions, when not challenged, lead to beliefs, and beliefs lead to behaviors which directly influence our results. Embrace change as the opportunity of transformation. Here is how:
- Recognize that change is constant.
- Become good at asking questions – the more you know, the better equipped you will be for new growth.
- Maintain a positive perception so to gain positive results.
The workplace will continue to change. In fact, it will evolve at an even faster rate moving forward. Preferring to keep things “as is” might feel comfortable but disruption is inevitable, and no business is immune. Afterall, progress is rarely made without change.
Keep perspective, harness the learning experience, and see the many possibilities on the horizon.
Giving Thanks… How do you follow up after the interview?
We’ve all been there… you just finished an interview for your dream job. Your confidence is high, the conversation went well, and you feel so close to closing the job. The hard part is over, but the process isn’t quite complete. It’s time to follow up with your interviewer, but what’s the best way to convey your message? Here are some tips on getting back in touch after the interview.
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